Lando Norris says those who criticise him for signing a contract extension with McLaren are "clueless".
The young Brit has spent his whole Formula 1 career so far with his current employers, having been given a shot as a rookie in 2019. Now aged 22, he has since proven that he is more than worthy of his place after some excellent results.
A first race victory still eludes him – he came within touching distance in Russia last year before the weather thwarted him – but results have still be superb. In 70 race starts, he has been on the podium six time and scored an impressive 364 points.
Despite some rumours that one of the big three teams would come in to snap him up, Norris has remained loyal to McLaren, where he appears to have planted roots. He proved that commitment when he signed his new deal in February, which will keep him with the team until 2025.
But so far this year the team has not had the best of times, and are yet to build on the foundations that they laid down during a strong 2021 season. He has been on the podium, at Imola, but otherwise he has generally had to settle for the smaller points, while also finishing outside the top 10 in two races.
Things have been much more of a struggle for team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, who has only scored points twice this season. McLaren's struggles have led to some questioning why Norris would commit himself to a midfield team when the top constructors might be interested.
But the Brit gave an irritated response when asked that question by Sky Sports F1, replying: "I don't know why everyone thinks they know, 'he definitely could have gone here, he could have done that'. But most of the time they know absolutely nothing, all these people coming up with these conclusions."
Jenson Button was one of those to question the decision to stick with McLaren in the aftermath of the new deal. Norris said that he has "a lot of respect" for the 2009 champion and others who have expressed similar views, but insisted that sticking with McLaren was the right call.
"I have a good team around me so we know where I want to be and when, what the team can offer me going into the future," he added. "I still believe it's the best place for me because it's where I've grown up, I know what we have coming."
